Milan is the second largest metropolis in Italy after Rome and the capital of Lombardy. It’s nicely often called being the house of high-end Italian style designers, and many individuals come to Milan only for the procuring.
Nonetheless, there’s heaps extra to do in Milan than store. The town has spectacular artworks, together with one of the crucial well-known murals on this planet, Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Final Supper. It additionally has a great deal of museums, unbelievable meals, parks, church buildings, and cultural actions.
Milan additionally makes a terrific base for exploring the native area, with common locations like Lake Como, Lake Garda, Verona, and Bologna, solely an hour or so away by practice.
We’ve visited Milan a variety of instances, and immediately we’re going to share an concept of find out how to spend two days in Milan.
This information will embrace a steered itinerary for every day in Milan, in addition to tips about getting round, the place to remain and the way to economize. We’ll additionally share some tips about day journeys from Milan.
2 Day Milan Itinerary
This two-day Milan itinerary is good for first-time guests to Milan, and people wishing to see the highlights of town. We wish to pack in quite a bit once we go to a metropolis, particularly on our first go to.
As all the time with our itineraries, we advocate utilizing this as a foundation, and adjusting it to fit your pursuits and journey type.
If you happen to’re searching for extra choices, additionally take a look at our information to issues to do in Milan. That article contains all of the points of interest on this itinerary in addition to a variety of different locations you may wish to go to, particularly in case you have greater than 2 days in Milan.
Milan Itinerary Day 1
Day one in all our Milan itinerary has you visiting among the most well-known and common points of interest within the metropolis, beginning with one of many world’s most well-known artworks.
At this time the points of interest are all inside strolling distance of each other, and at the present time’s itinerary is ready up for somebody who’s strolling between every attraction. However do take a look at our information to getting round in Milan in a while within the put up for different choices, as Milan additionally has a terrific public transit system and taxis are additionally straightforward to get.
If you’re planning on doing a sightseeing bus tour, then I’d in all probability advocate doing it this morning so you can begin with an outline of town. I’d additionally plan your stops in an order that is smart with the bus schedule.
Additionally a be aware immediately that if you’re following our itinerary, we advocate bringing alongside your picture ID (for The Final Supper tickets) and to just remember to are dressed to fulfill the varied church costume code pointers (shoulders and knees coated).
On with Day 1!
The Final Supper (Santa Maria della Grazie)
Leonardo Da Vinci is answerable for among the world’s most recognizable artworks, together with the Mona Lisa and the Vitruvian Man. The Final Supper is one other one in all his immediately recognizable works, and also you’ll discover it in Milan.
It’s discovered painted onto the wall of the eating room of the Convent of Santa Maria della Grazie, which remains to be a working church and Dominican convent.
Because the title suggests, the mural depicts the Final Supper of Jesus with the Twelve Apostles. It freezes the second in time when Jesus has simply introduced that one of many twelve will betray him, and captures the vary of feelings that the apostles should this announcement.
The very first thing that strikes you while you see the art work is the unimaginable sense of perspective that Da Vinci manages to convey. The portray completely matches with the room the place it’s painted, seeming to increase it into the horizon. And the entire composition is fastidiously crafted so all of the main strains converge on the central determine of Christ.
It’s additionally superbly symmetrical, and the emotion on the faces of the varied topics appears to obviously seize how every character may need been feeling as Jesus revealed the revelation of his upcoming betrayal.
At this time, the Final Supper is thought to be one of many world’s most essential artworks, and positively one of the crucial essential that Da Vinci created.
Sadly, Da Vinci created the work utilizing experimental and unfamiliar strategies. This meant that it began to decay nearly instantly. Over the centuries, numerous restoration makes an attempt have been made, with various levels of success. The tip result’s what you see immediately, and while it’s nonetheless within the spirit of Da Vinci’s work, a lot of the unique has been misplaced.
That mentioned, it’s nonetheless fairly an unimaginable sight and nicely value seeing.
If you happen to do wish to go to the Final Supper, which we advocate, you ought to be conscious it is a extremely popular attraction and you’ll undoubtedly wish to plan your go to upfront. This isn’t an attraction you’ll be able to simply flip up and go to.
Tickets are very restricted, with solely 30 guests allowed in per 15-minute time slot. A lot of these tickets are allotted to tour teams, however there’s an allocation for people to purchase tickets.
Particular person tickets will be purchased on the official web site right here. Tickets are usually launched 1 to 4 months upfront, and have a tendency to promote out rapidly. The announcement for when tickets can be placed on sale for upcoming months is printed on the web site right here.
If you happen to can’t discover a ticket for the dates you’re visiting Milan, your only option is to e-book a tour which incorporates the Final Supper. Tour teams have entry to a separate ticket allocation, and normally have higher availability in consequence.
While a tour goes to be costlier, it would get pleasure from together with an knowledgeable tour information who can clarify what you’re seeing. There’s little written data within the room itself, so having a tour information (or guidebook) is absolutely helpful. Our information additionally took us on a guided go to of the church afterwards.
We visited the Final Supper as a part of this tour with Take Walks, one in all our favourite strolling tour firms. We’ve taken excursions with all of them all over the world, and admire the educated guides and small teams.
You’ll be able to examine availability for his or her Final Supper tour right here, which once we took it additionally included a metropolis strolling tour and a go to to the Milan Duomo.
In the event that they don’t have availability, otherwise you’d identical to another choices, take a look at this record of excursions on GetYourGuide for another choices.
No matter the way you go to, be sure you flip up upfront to permit loads of time so you’ll be able to gather your ticket and retailer your baggage, any meals/water, and different bigger objects within the on-site lockers. All meals and drinks (even bottled water) must be saved within the lockers and may’t be taken inside.
Once we visited, we additionally wanted picture IDs to be able to gather our tickets, so we’d advocate additionally bringing alongside your passports.
Lastly, don’t overlook to allocate a while after your go to to have a look at the small museum, present store, and to go to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie as nicely. The church is free to go to and was accomplished in 1497, with the apse designed by notable architect Bramante.
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Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
In case you have time between visiting The Final Supper and the Duomo, we advocate a cease at San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore. This church is a couple of five-minute stroll from the church of Santa Maria della Grazie the place The Final Supper is discovered..
This dates from 1518, and was initially a part of Milan’s largest Benedictine convent. At this time, the convent is the place you’ll discover the Civic Archaeological Museum, nevertheless, the church remains to be operational and appears a lot because it did when it was in use by the nuns.
The inside of the church is a vaulted nave which is split into two elements. One among these was the world for basic worship and is the place the principle altar is to be discovered. The opposite space was the Corridor of Nuns, and was the place the nuns would collect to watch mass by means of a grating.
Till the late 18th century, the nuns weren’t permitted to cross the divide into the final worship space.
The principle cause it would be best to go to the church is for the unimaginable frescoes that you’ll discover inside. These are discovered on each side of the church in addition to on the dividing wall, and depict quite a lot of non secular scenes together with the lifetime of San Maurizio, the patron saint of Milan.
The church is free to go to however donations are in fact welcome and appreciated. As it’s a non secular constructing, a costume code which entails overlaying your shoulders and knees applies. You’ll be able to see extra particulars about visiting on the web site.
Word about these occupied with archaeology, must also contemplate a go to to the adjoining Civic Archaeological Museum within the former convent. The museum covers the traditional to medieval durations, together with Milan’s time as capital of the Western Roman Empire. There’s an entrance charge to go to.
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Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Subsequent advisable cease is the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, which is a couple of 10-minute stroll from the Chiesa di San Maurizio. This was Italy’s first Starbucks.
Starbucks clearly needed to make an influence with their first Italian venue. While Starbucks was initially impressed by Italian espresso tradition, American espresso tradition could be very totally different. It’s clear that thought went into establishing the primary Starbucks in Italy to be able to bridge the divide.
We predict the trouble definitely paid off. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery is discovered within the former Milan Inventory Change and Submit Workplace constructing, which is a really spectacular construction.
Inside, you’ll discover a big house the place you’ll be able to watch the espresso roasting course of from finish to finish, and select from a powerful array of espresso based mostly drinks. These vary from the anticipated classics by means of to every thing from pour-over coffees, espresso tasting flights, and even espresso based mostly cocktails.
There are additionally different, non-coffee based mostly drinks in addition to snacks. On-site you’ll additionally discover a retailer the place you should purchase a spread of espresso paraphernalia and Starbucks souvenirs.
The Starbucks Roastery is free to go to. Even for those who aren’t a fan of Starbucks, we nonetheless advocate a fast take a look at the spectacular exterior and inside of this historic constructing. Yow will discover out extra about visiting on the official web site right here.
After all, for those who would like a extra conventional espresso expertise, we’ve a advice for that too. There are lots of cafes to be present in Milan, however we might advocate Marchesi 1824. The unique retailer is on the identical route you’ll be following, simply a few minutes’ stroll from the church.
Based in 1824, this is without doubt one of the oldest cafes and pastry retailers you’ll be able to go to in Milan, and the inside of the store is beautiful. So if you’re after a fast espresso decide me up and scrumptious pastry, this is a wonderful choice. There are additionally a number of tables within the again for those who want a break.
Marchesi is now owned by Prada so there’s a second Milan location within the Prada retailer on the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
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Duomo di Milano
Fortified with espresso, it’s time to go to one in all Milan’s most spectacular buildings, the Duomo di Milan or Milan Cathedral. It’s a couple of 5 minute stroll from the Starbucks Reserve Roastery to the Milan Duomo.
This large marble development is without doubt one of the largest cathedrals on this planet, and a must-see when visiting Milan.
The Milan Duomo took nearly 600 years to construct, with the groundbreaking in 1386 and the constructing solely being formally accomplished in 1965.
This prolonged constructing length meant that the cathedral was constructed by means of each the Gothic and Renaissance durations, and the design attracts on quite a lot of usually contrasting architectural kinds.
As you may think, over the interval it was constructed the design fell out and in of style. Alternatively revered and criticized by means of the ages, we personally suppose that it was definitely worth the 600 12 months wait to get to the completed constructing.
At this time, the Duomo is the cathedral church of Milan and an energetic place of worship. It’s the third largest church on this planet and the most important in Italy, and there’s a lot to see right here.
Inside you’ll discover the world’s largest gothic vaults, statues, altars, sarcophagi and exquisite stained-glass home windows. There’s additionally an essential relic which holds what’s believed to be one of many nails used within the crucifixion of Christ.
Beneath the Duomo, and accessed from inside, you’ll discover the Archeological Space. That is the place you’ll be able to see what has been excavated of the Baptisteries of Saint John and Santa Tecla which date from the 4th century AD.
One among our favorite elements of the Duomo is the roof terrace. The roof is a big house stuffed with beautiful gothic spires, and it was designed so guests may come up and admire them up shut. Rooftop entry is feasible by way of both stairs or an elevator.
Lastly, simply throughout the Piazza from the Duomo is the Museum of the Duomo. Right here you’ll discover a variety of items of artwork and parts like statues from the cathedral.
All of the areas of the Duomo require a ticket to entry. Completely different tickets can be found relying on which areas you wish to go to.
A lot of the cathedral tickets embrace entry to the cathedral, the archaeological space, and the Duomo Museum. You pay further for those who additionally wish to go to the rooftop terraces.
Tickets will be purchased right here. An choice with an audioguide is accessible right here, or you’ll be able to e-book a guided tour right here. The Cathedral with rooftop entry can also be included on the Milan Move.
Don’t overlook that that is an energetic non secular constructing, and like in most church buildings throughout Italy, a costume code applies for those who want to enter the cathedral. This typically means nothing too skimpy and that you should have each your shoulders and knees coated. This is applicable for each women and men.
Word that if you’re on a decent price range, you’ll be able to nonetheless benefit from the vigorous Piazza del Duomo and the spectacular exterior of this magnificent cathedral without cost. It’s undoubtedly nonetheless value seeing even for those who aren’t planning to go inside.
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Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Moments away from the Duomo, and on the identical Piazza, you’ll discover an entrance to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It is a big glass and metal shopping center fronted by a triumphal arch which opened in 1877.
That makes it one of many world’s oldest procuring malls, and we’d argue it’s additionally one of many extra picturesque malls you’re more likely to go to.
The four-storey inside consists of a pair of intersecting glass-topped arcades. The place the streets intersect, there’s an enormous glass and metalwork dome. On the bottom is an exquisite mosaic flooring.
If you’re occupied with high-end procuring, then the Galleria is certainly a great place to take a look at. Designer shops together with Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada can all be discovered inside, alongside bars, cafes, and eating places.
Even for those who aren’t procuring on a high-end style price range, we’d argue the Galleria is nicely value a go to. It’s free to go to, it’s proper by the Duomo, and it’s fairly a marvel to behold.
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La Scala Theatre
Only a minute’s stroll from the Galleria is the Teatro alla Scala, also referred to as La Scala. This is without doubt one of the world’s most well-known opera homes. It dates from 1778, though it has been expanded and modernised over time.
The theatre is totally operational, so you’ll be able to in fact go to for a efficiency do you have to want. There are common ballet and opera performances, and if that is of curiosity you’ll be able to see the schedule of performances and e-book tickets on the official web site right here.
Nonetheless, you don’t have to absorb a efficiency to go to the theatre. There’s a small museum on website, or you’ll be able to take one of many hosted guided excursions that the theatre runs.
Museum entry provides you entry to among the bins, so you’ll be able to see the theatre itself. That is dependent in fact on the rehearsal schedule, which you’ll be able to examine on-line earlier than you go to.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to take one of many guided excursions. These have fairly restricted availability, so do e-book upfront if you wish to do one in all these. They provide excursions in each Italian and English. On a tour you get to see behind the scenes of how the theatre works. They’re a bit costlier than the museum entry, however you additionally get a way more in-depth expertise.
You’ll want to examine tour instances as they’re restricted, and you might want to regulate this itinerary accordingly relying on the guided tour time.
You’ll be able to see tour instances and costs, in addition to museum entry instances and costs on the museum web site right here. Entry to the Museum can also be included on the Milan Move.
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Nighttime choices
After a full day of sightseeing, you might be questioning what to do within the night. Now you might have a variety of choices.
After all, you may have dinner and head again to your lodge or residence to chill out. You’ve definitely earned it. Try some concepts for Milanese dishes to strive in our information to issues to do in Milan.
Within the heat climate months, there are many bars and eating places with outside tables arrange which can be good for having fun with an aperitivo and/or meal and watching the world go by.
Nonetheless, for those who did need some night leisure there are in fact loads of choices.
First, you may take an night aperitivo tour like this. Or simply head out to an area bar for a drink and to get pleasure from native life.
If you happen to would like to sightsee within the night, there are additionally night strolling excursions like this, though you might wish to modify your itinerary for the day as these do revisit among the identical areas you’ve already been.
An alternative choice could be to attend a night efficiency of stay music, opera or ballet. You’ll be able to see among the stay performances out there and e-book tickets right here.
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Milan Itinerary Day 2
On your second day in Milan, you might have a number of choices. First, you may take a day journey out of town. Milan is nicely positioned for exploring the native space, with quick practice journey opening up a wealth of potentialities.
We now have a variety of strategies additional on within the put up for day journeys from town, however one nice choice could be to take a day journey to Lake Como, which is simply an hour north of town.
It’s also possible to go to locations together with Verona, Florence, Bologna and even Venice from Milan.
An alternative choice could be to take pleasure in a day of procuring. We’ve included procuring suggestions on this itinerary, however you’re welcome to dedicate the entire day to procuring in fact. For instance, if you wish to go to the outlet village you’d in all probability wish to spend many of the day there.
After all, there’s nonetheless heaps extra to see in Milan, so listed here are some steered stops for a second day within the metropolis.
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Castello Sforzesco
Your first cease in your second day in Milan is the imposing Castello Sforzesco.
This was constructed because the residence of the highly effective household ruling Milan within the mid fifteenth century, and so they spared no expense in making it into fairly the construction.
It needed to be constructed for 2 functions, defensive and residential. Italy on the time was divided and dominated by totally different households, and conflicts weren’t unusual. So the Fortress needed to be constructed to be extremely defensive.
Presumably nevertheless, no-one needed to stay in a fortress that wasn’t additionally aesthetically pleasing. To resolve this downside, the best artisans of the day (together with Leonardo Da Vinci), had been employed to make sure it was additionally a grand place to stay and entertain.
The general end result was fairly spectacular. When accomplished, it was one of many largest fortresses in Europe, with massively thick defensive partitions and towers that additionally occurred to have interiors designed by Da Vinci and Bramante. One of the best of each worlds.
At this time, the vast majority of the fortress has survived, with a lot of it used to deal with a variety of fascinating museums. These cowl a spread of topics together with Renaissance artwork, archaeology, musical devices, and historic artwork. There’s even an unfinished marble sculpture by Michaelangelo.
You’ll be able to go to the fortress grounds without cost, however entry to the Fortress Museums is ticketed. One ticket covers all of the museums throughout the fortress. We predict it presents nice worth contemplating how a lot it contains. Simply be sure you preserve your ticket inside attain as you’ll need it as you go alongside to totally different sections of the fortress.
You’ll be able to spend many of the day exploring all of the museums right here (there’s a lot right here), so we’d advocate allocating at the very least a few hours right here.
You’ll be able to see costs and opening instances right here. It’s additionally included on the 3-day Vacationer Museum Card.
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Parco Sempione
Discovered adjoining to Castello Sforzesco, Parco Sempione presents 95 acres of park land and spectacular views of the fortress. In truth, it was inbuilt 1888 particularly with the aim of giving park guests a panoramic view of the fortress, a aim we expect it achieved.
After a number of hours exploring the museums and grounds of the fortress, the park makes for a welcome place to chill out for some time. There are sculptures and ponds to admire in addition to shaded garden to chill out on. You’ll additionally discover ice-cream distributors and there are sometimes musicians performing right here as nicely.
If you’re hungry, you may cease and seize some sandwiches or pizza and have a picnic on the park.
If you need a great view of Milan, the park can also be house to the 108 meter (354 ft) excessive Branca tower. This panoramic viewing tower presents among the greatest views of town, and it’s additionally served by an elevator making it a simple viewpoint to get to.
It’s ticketed, and you should buy your ticket on-line upfront right here.
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Pinacoteca di Brera
Milan has a wonderful choice of museums, overlaying quite a lot of topics. One among our favorite artwork museums in Milan is the Pinacoteca di Brera, which is only a 10-minute stroll from Parco Sempione.
This gallery focuses on work by Italian artists, overlaying the thirteenth century by means of to the twentieth century. These artists embrace Raphael, Bramantino, Mantegana, and Canaletto, amongst many others.
There’s a charge to go to, and once we visited you wanted to pre-book your ticket on-line upfront to go to. You’ll be able to learn extra about opening instances and costs on the official web site right here.
After all, there are numerous different museums to select from in Milan relying in your pursuits, which you may go to as an alternative of or in addition to the Pinacoteca di Brera.
In addition to the numerous museums in Castello Sforzesco, contemplate trying out:
We predict you need to discover one thing to fit your pursuits from this choice of museums in Milan!
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Purchasing on the Quadrilatero della Moda
One of many many causes that folks go to Milan is for the unimaginable procuring alternatives right here, so in your second day in Milan you may undoubtedly take pleasure in some retail remedy. Or simply some wallet-friendly window procuring.
Just about each high-end Italian style label has a retailer within the metropolis, so for those who needed so as to add to your wardrobe, Milan can undoubtedly kind you out.
If you happen to’re wanting to buy high-end designer put on in Milan, then we advocate you head to the Quadrilatero della Moda, which accurately interprets as style sq.. It’s also often called the By way of Montenapoleone style district, That is round a 10-minute stroll from the Pinacoteca di Brera.
Right here you’ll discover the best focus of Italian design homes and boutiques. Milan isn’t just about high-end style in fact. You’ll additionally discover shops catering to a variety of budgets and kinds. You’ll additionally discover a number of international manufacturers right here, not simply Italian ones.
If you happen to’d wish to study extra about style in Milan, you might also contemplate taking a tour like this with a method information. They’ll information you thru the choices and also you’ll study in regards to the historical past of style, what a Made in Italy label means, and go to a designer’s studio.
If you’re extra looking for a cut price, then you definately may contemplate heading out of town to go to the Serravalle Designer Outlet centre. With over 200 shops, together with Versace, Gucci, Nike, Armani, Calvin Klein, Prada, Celine, Levis, Burberry, and The North Face, this large procuring centre is positioned about an hour from Milan.
You’ll be able to go to the procuring outlet by practice, or you’ll be able to e-book a handy spherical journey shuttle switch right here.
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Shoah Memorial
Our subsequent advisable cease is the Shoah Memorial which is positioned subsequent to the Milan Central practice station. The simplest approach to get right here is to take the metro from the style district to the practice station, which takes about quarter-hour. There’s additionally a hop on hop off bus cease at Milan Central station, in addition to trolleybus companies you’ll be able to take.
In the course of the Second World Warfare, tens of millions of Jews in addition to different teams deemed by the Nazis to be inferior had been systematically murdered.
Milan performed a job on this genocide. The Milan Centrale practice station was the deportation facility for the Jews of Northern Italy. Right here, they had been loaded onto trains and despatched to the focus camps, the place the vast majority of them had been killed.
This happened within the underground space of the practice station, which was designed for freight processing and transport. It was underground in order to keep away from disruption to passenger companies.
The underground location meant that processing and loading of prisoners onto the livestock freight automobiles may occur in secret. As soon as loaded, the automobiles had been raised by way of elevator onto the tracks and dispatched to the focus camps.
For many years, the underground Platform 21 was largely forgotten. Nonetheless, it has now been renovated and restored as a shifting public memorial, and it opened because the Memoriale Della Shoah Di Milano in 2013.
Right here the go to begins with an introduction by a employees member and inside you will note the deportation platform, a railway automobile used for deportation, the wall of names, testimonials, and locations of reflection.
There’s a charge for visiting, and yow will discover out extra about opening hours and costs right here. It’s closed on Fridays. Guided excursions are usually out there on weekends and it’s endorsed that for those who want to do a guided tour, that you simply e-book these upfront.
Make sure you examine their opening dates and instances earlier than planning your go to. There’s additionally a library and bookshop positioned right here.
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Navigli District
To complete off your second day in Milan we advocate heading to the favored Navigli District. That is within the south of town, and is definitely reached by metro, with the closest cease being P. TA Genova FS.
It’s round a 25-minute journey from the Shoah Memorial or 20 minutes from the style district. There are additionally hop on hop off bus stops within the Navigli district.
Right here, you’ll discover what stays of Milan’s canal system. Initially, Milan had 5 canals, which had been used to move items to and from town. The marble used to assemble the Duomo for instance would have arrived by canal.
At this time, solely two of the canals stay, the Naviglio Grande and the Naviglio Parvese. These kind a triangle that’s immediately often called the Navigli district.
It is a extremely popular place to whereas away a night over an aperitivo or meal. There’s a big vary of eating places and cafes to select from, and there are additionally artwork galleries, e-book retailers and design shops to peruse.
It’s value noting that costs within the Navigli district for meals and drinks are normally somewhat larger than in different elements of town as a result of reputation. However it’s a pretty location and we all the time come right here for a drink and meal when in Milan.
Within the spring and summer time months you may also contemplate taking a canal cruise, which you’ll be able to e-book right here (seasonal). A canal cruise can also be included on the Milan Move.
It’s also possible to go to the Navigli space on a guided tour like this, and on an aperitivo tour like this.
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2 Day Milan Itinerary Abstract
Right here’s an outline of this two-day Milan itinerary.
- Day 1: The Final Supper, Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, Starbucks Reserve Roastery, Duomo di Milano, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, La Scala Theatre
- Day 2: Castello Sforzesco, Parco Sempione, Pinacoteca di Brera, Purchasing on the Quadrilatero della Moda, Shoah Memorial, Navigli District
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Map of Milan Issues to Do
That can assist you visualise our Milan itinerary and plan your day we’ve put collectively this map of the points of interest on every day. It’s also possible to see this on Google Maps right here.
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Day Journeys from Milan
There’s a lot to see and do in Milan itself, however the metropolis additionally lends itself nicely to being a base for day journeys to the encompassing space.
Italy has a wonderful excessive pace rail system, so you may simply put collectively your personal day journeys. Cities and cities like Verona, Bologna, Turin and Modena can all be reached by practice in beneath 90 minutes.
It’s also possible to get to common locations like Lake Como and Lake Garda simply. One among our favorite day journeys from Milan is Lake Como, the place you’ll be able to simply hop between the picturesque lake entrance villages on the ferry companies.
There are additionally a variety of firms providing guided excursions from Milan to close by points of interest. These usually embrace spherical journey transport and the companies of a information. Some additionally embrace extras like meals and attraction entry.
Some excursions we advise from Milan embrace the next.
- This full day tour which embrace Lake Como, Bellagio, and Varenna, in addition to a cruise on the lake
- This full day tour which has you using the Bernina practice by means of the Swiss Alps and visiting the well-known luxurious resort St. Moritz
- This full day tour to Lake Como, Bellagio and Lugano, which additionally features a cruise on the lake
- A full day tour to Cinque Terre from Milan
- This full day tour to Verona and Lake Garda from Milan, which features a boat tour on the lake
- This full day tour to the Ligurian coast, visiting Genoa and Portofino, with a sail boat experience included
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Suggestions for Visiting Milan
Our primary tip for visiting Milan is to resolve nicely upfront which points of interest you actually wish to see, and look into if you should e-book advance tickets or a tour.
The preferred attraction in Milan is the Final Supper, which additionally has essentially the most restricted tickets. So if that is in your record of points of interest to see, you’ll undoubtedly wish to examine when tickets develop into out there on the official website so you should purchase them as far upfront as attainable.
Alternatively, look into the strolling excursions, such because the strolling tour we did which included the Final Supper. Strolling excursions are likely to have higher availability nearer to the time, so that is additionally a great fall again choice if tickets are usually not out there in your most well-liked date.
One other tour which could be very common and has restricted availability is the guided tour of La Scala Theatre. So once more, it would be best to examine the official web site to examine when tickets develop into out there and make an observation in your diary to e-book them.
Different points of interest are likely to have higher availability, however it’s nonetheless value checking which require advance ticket purchases. On current visits to Milan, we’ve needed to e-book upfront to go to museums just like the Pinacoteca di Brera and for rooftop entry to the Duomo for instance.
The additional upfront you e-book, the higher your probabilities of securing a timeslot that works to your itinerary, and the decrease the probabilities of disappointment.
The opposite factor to bear in mind when visiting Milan, as with different Italian cities, is that lots of the sights are locations of worship. As such, they usually have a costume code which can be enforced.
The costume code usually requires women and men to cowl their shoulders and their knees. Males are additionally required to take away any hats.
If you’re visiting Italy within the cooler months, then this costume code will in all probability be straightforward to stick to. Nonetheless, in the summertime months it is vitally frequent to see guests being turned away as a result of they don’t seem to be appropriately dressed.
If you happen to don’t wish to put on lengthy sleeves or pants, then you definately may wish to journey with a light-weight journey wrap so you’ll be able to cowl your self when vital, after which pack it away when not in use.
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The place to Keep in Milan
Milan has loads of lodging choices to select from. Listed here are some steered choices, ordered roughly by price range from low to excessive.
- Ostello Bello – for those who’re searching for a centrally positioned price range choice in Milan, this can be a nice choice. Simply 10 minutes’ stroll from the Duomo, Ostello Bello presents each non-public and dormitory lodging, with each dinner and breakfast included.
- Babila Hostel & Bistrot – one other nicely reviewed and centrally positioned hostel, Babila Hostel has each non-public rooms and dormitory type lodging. Breakfast is included.
- Lodge Star – a wonderful worth and nicely reviewed 3* lodge inside shut strolling distance of town centre points of interest. En-suite rooms with breakfast out there.
- Rooms Milano Duomo – 2 minutes stroll from the Duomo, this can be a good 3* property with glorious opinions. Rooms are en-suite, some with metropolis views, and include tea/espresso making amenities
- Lodge Bristol – If you’re touring by practice, this 3* lodge is a wonderful alternative. It’s proper by Milan central station, that includes en-suite air-conditioned rooms
- Brunelleschi Lodge – A nicely rated and good worth 4* lodge simply moments from the Duomo and different city-centre points of interest. Rooms are all en-suite, and a breakfast buffet is included.
- Matilde Boutique Lodge – a really nicely rated 4* boutique lodge only a few moments stroll from the Duomo. There’s a restaurant and bar on website, breakfast is included, and rooms are all en-suite.
- Room Mate Giulia – one other extremely rated and centrally positioned 4* lodge. Rooms are trendy and en-suite, and breakfast is accessible.
- Galleria Vik Milano – discovered throughout the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, this nicely positioned 5* lodge presents excessive finish lodging. Some rooms have views of the gallery, breakfast is included, and naturally rooms are en-suite with espresso machines.
Hopefully this offers you loads of choices – no matter your price range.
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The best way to Get Round Milan
While Milan is a big metropolis, many of the points of interest that guests will wish to see will be discovered in direction of the centre, inside strolling distance of one another. As well as, we’ve arrange this itinerary in as logical a manner as attainable, to minimise journey time and maximise sightseeing.
That mentioned, you may nonetheless wish to benefit from the general public transport system to get to and out of your lodge, or to go to areas just like the Navigli district.
The excellent news is that Milan has a wonderful public transport system which incorporates an underground metro, trams, trolleybuses, and buses. There are additionally hop on hop off buses that cowl the principle customer points of interest, in addition to e-scooters and bikes which will be rented by way of smartphone apps.
Usually we use the underground metro as we discover it to be quick and price efficient, and the 5 metro strains cowl many of the metropolis.
To experience the general public transport system, you should purchase both single use tickets, or you should buy a single day or three-day ticket. Clearly one of the best worth will rely upon how a lot you intend to make use of public transport throughout your keep in Milan.
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Prompt Strolling Excursions in Milan
One among our favorite methods to discover a brand new metropolis is on a strolling tour. We’ve taken a whole lot of strolling excursions in cities the world over and a great deal of them in Italy.
- This 3 hour strolling tour presents lots of the highlights of town in addition to Final Supper tickets and entry to the Milan Duomo. That is the strolling tour we took in Milan that included our Final Supper tickets and tour.
- There are comparable excursions to the above, so if that one doesn’t have availability, take a look at both this 3 hour strolling tour which incorporates skip the road entry to the Duomo and tickets to The Final Supper or this tour which incorporates the Final Supper.
- This non-public style tour with a method information can have you studying all in regards to the historical past of style and visiting a few of Milan’s most well-known designer shops
- This small group connoisseur meals tour contains stops at a variety of areas with tastings and drinks
- This night aperitivo tour focuses on the late afternoon custom of aperitivo, with drinks and road meals type snacks within the fashionable Navigli space
- This meals and strolling tour of the historic Brera district contains a variety of conventional regional dishes and wines
- This 1.5 hour tour of Cimiterio Monumentale is an efficient approach to go to the cemetery and see among the extra fascinating areas
- This strolling tour of the Navigli space contains data on the historical past and design of the canals and the evolution of the world
- If you happen to favor to see Milan at evening, this 2 hour night tour takes you across the historic middle of Milan at evening and shares tales of town.
Hopefully you’ll discover loads of choices for excursions in Milan if that’s of curiosity to you.
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Saving Cash with Milan Attraction Passes
Once we go to a metropolis, we all the time examine to see if there’s a metropolis sightseeing move that may save us cash. These usually embrace free or discounted entry to points of interest, and in addition usually embrace public transport.
The principle passes which can be out there for Milan are:
- The Milan Move. This 48-hour metropolis move features a hop on hop off bus, free entry to numerous museums together with La Scala, Duomo with rooftop entry, in addition to the choice to incorporate public transport.
- The Milano Card. This card contains free public transport and reductions on a variety of museums and points of interest. Accessible for 1, 2, or 3 days.
- The Vacationer Museum Card. This three day card contains entry to the civic museums of Milan, which incorporates the 8 museums in Castello Sforzesco in addition to 5 different museums. It’s a terrific worth card if the museums it covers are in your itinerary.
For many guests we expect Milan Move makes essentially the most sense because it contains free entry to the most well-liked sights in Milan together with the rooftop of the Duomo. It additionally contains the hop on hop off bus and a Navigli Canal Cruise (seasonal).
If you’re extra occupied with public transport and visiting some sights with a reduction, then the Milano Card may make extra sense.
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Additional Studying
We’ve visited Italy many instances, and have explored a number of the cities and areas that the nation has to supply. Listed here are some extra posts we expect you’ll discover helpful that can assist you plan your journey.
And that’s it for our information to spending 2 days in Milan! As all the time, in case you have any questions or feedback, simply pop them within the feedback part beneath and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we will.